Chelsea plan Cole Palmer reward after stunning first season

Chelsea are confident they can keep England star Cole Palmer at the club for the bulk of his career.

Blues bosses are understood to have devised a plan to reward Palmer’s already meteoric rise with incremental wage rises.

Palmer hit 25 goals in his debut Stamford Bridge campaign, then lit up England’s run to the Euro 2024 final with crucial interventions from the bench.

The 22-year-old joined Chelsea from Manchester City last summer, signing an initial seven-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.

Palmer took the Premier League by storm with Chelsea, then laid on an assist for Ollie Watkins in England’s last-gasp 2-1 semi-final win over Holland. He then drilled home a fine goal in the final that dragged England back on level terms, before Gareth Southgate’s side lost out 2-1 to Spain.

Palmer’s initial Chelsea wage was set at around £80,000 per week, far lower than many of the club’s top earners. But the club’s owners are determined to add a level of moderation to the wage structure, with staged rises understood to be a key part of that plan.

Palmer is thought to fall into that structure, with the club determined to hold onto a key talent.

Chelsea head to America next week for their pre-season tour, though Palmer and fellow England star Conor Gallagher will miss the trip.

Midfielder Gallagher is still being tracked by Tottenham and Atletico Madrid, though neither club has yet firmed up its interest with a bid.

Atletico could struggle to raise the money to meet Chelsea’s £50million valuation of Gallagher, while Spurs have been eyeing a number of options this summer. Gallagher is understood to be determined to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place.